AFFECTS WARD 3

To: Chair and Members Community Services Committee Outstanding Business Item No. K and Issue: Sanford Healthy Community Development Committee Re: Impact on Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre Upon Closure of Sanford Avenue School

From:

Joe-Anne Priel General Manager Community Services Department March 6, 2006

Telephone: Facsimile: E-mail:

905 546-4839 905 540-5608 jpriel@hamilton.ca

Date: Re:

Impact on Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre in 2010 if Sanford Avenue School is Closed (Ward 3) (CSO6009)

Council Direction: At its meeting of July 13, 2005, Council received correspondence from the Sanford Healthy Community Development Committee, requesting clarification as to the impact on Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre; should Sanford Avenue School be closed. This item was received and referred to the General Manager of Community Services Department for a report to the Community Services Committee. Information: Sanford Healthy Community Development Committee, Co-chairs Laura Laverty and Sheri Selway, sent correspondence to Mayor Di Ianni outlining their concerns that the new school to be built on the west end of the property will have no physical connection to the Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre. Presently the school and the recreation centre share a gymnasium that can be accessed from both the school and the recreation centre. Staff from Sanford Avenue School and Norman Pinky Lewis Centre have worked hard over the past several years to develop a strong partnership to better serve the community needs. They have successfully brought the community together to share in numerous initiatives and were jointly recognized by Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) as a Living School. The Co-chairs of the Committee feel that the momentum they have generated over the years will be negatively impacted by building a stand alone school. Grace Mater, from Social Development and Early Childhood Services, and Julie Matson and Gary Makins, from the Culture and Recreation Division, met with Sanford Avenue School Principle, Lori Kyle, on Monday, February 20, 2006 to discuss possible options

SUBJECT: Impact on Norman Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre in 2010 if Sanford School is Closed (CS06009) Page 2 of 2 that would maintain the sense of community that has been cultivated over the past five years. At the meeting, it was determined that the best course of action would be to work toward developing the Norman Pinky Lewis Centre into a community centre that would allow the community to access social services such as: parent education, early childhood development, and life skills programs in addition to recreational programs. The City of Hamilton will be meeting with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to discuss options; including a walkway to physically link the buildings or an addition to provide community space. After meeting with the Board we will bring back recommendations to the Community Services Committee. In the interim, staff at the recreation centre will work with Social Development and Early Childhood Services staff to develop an agreement to offer a, Best Start Initiative hub, including early learning and care, within the existing community centre.

_______________________ Joe-Anne Priel General Manager Community Services Department